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County working on median issues in Sun City

Residents want parking, begging curtailed

Posted 1/26/20

Long-term parking and individuals begging in roadway medians are becoming more of a sore spot for some Sun City residents and many are trying to solve what they believe is a problem for the community, both from aesthetic and safety points of view.

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County working on median issues in Sun City

Residents want parking, begging curtailed

Posted

Long-term parking and individuals begging in roadway medians are becoming more of a sore spot for some Sun City residents and many are trying to solve what they believe is a problem for the community, both from aesthetic and safety points of view.

People continue to beg for money, mostly from the medians at the intersection of Grand and 107th avenues. There are also vehicles parked long-term in the parking portion of medians on Peoria Avenue at 107th Avenue, on Mountain View Road where it splits from 107th Avenue and vehicles for sale are being parked in the parking medians and against the curbs on roadways. Residents continue to bring their complaints to the Sun City Home Owners Association Roads and Safety Committee.

“We have asked Maricopa County Department of Transportation about placing ‘no trespassing’ or ‘no overnight parking’ signs at those medians,” Jim Powell, roads committee chairman, said during the Jan. 15 meeting.

At this time, there is not a county ordinance that provides guidance to the public’s use of these parking lots, according to Traci Ruth, MCDOT strategic communications and outreach division manager.

“We are currently evaluating this situation and are looking to develop solutions to ensure the parking lots are used for the benefit of Maricopa County residents,” she stated in an email in November.

County officials said the matter continues to be discussed internally, but provided no details.

“There are ongoing internal discussions on that, but I don’t want to say any more than that,” said Brian Pahia, MCDOT spokesman.

Deputy Zane Hagen of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office District 3 asked residents for patience.

“Change takes time, and until something is definitely decided, it’s best not to speak on it,” he said.

Some residents expressed concerned that a white van parked on the Peoria Avenue median west of 107th Avenue appears to be used as a home. They also complained about a red Blazer on the same median parking area that has no license plate and appears to be abandoned. There is also a car parked on the Peoria Avenue parking area east of 107th Avenue with a “For Sale” sign on it.

Another resident complained about a car parked at the curb on a street with a “For Sale” sign. When MCSO was called, the resident was told since the car was legally parked and not obstructing traffic there was nothing that could be done.

“Arizona statutes say it is illegal to park a vehicle for sale on a roadway,” Mr. Powell said. “We need all deputies to be aware of that.”

Mr. Hagen said they are aware, but could not explain why a resident would be told nothing could be done.

“We had this issue in Sun City West, but mostly with golf cars,” Mr. Hagen said. “Some were even parked right at a stop sign.”

Regarding people soliciting money on medians, Sun City resident Greg Eisert, a roads committee member, is working with legislators to craft a bill for the coming session to address the issue from a safety perspective.

“The bottom line is the courts have given great latitude to the panhandlers,” he said in November.

A U.S. District Court ruling on a case in Flagtaff stated that panhandling is protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees free speech.

Mr. Eisert’s draft bill would prohibit anyone from standing or sitting on the median of a street unless they are actively crossing a street. The draft exempts law enforcement and other emergency service personnel.

“Panhandling in the median is a safety issue and this draft bill addresses it that way,” Mr. Eisert said. “But whatever form this takes, it must be enforceable and not an undue burden on law enforcement.”

Mr. Eisert was not in attendance at the Jan. 15 meeting to provide an update.

The SCHOA Roads and Safety Committee meets the third Wednesday each month. The next meeting is 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the meeting room at the SCHOA office, 10401 W. Coggins Drive.

Water work

Sun City residents will experience some travel disruption on Oakmont Drive between 103rd and 107th avenues later this month.

EPCOR Water Co. crews will replace water mains in that stretch, according to Eric French, EPCOR spokesman. He said pipes are near the end of their life and many are leaking. The leaks, however, do not signal massive water main replacements throughout the community, he added.

“We look at the age and the history of the pipe; you can use age only, but that’s not a good indicator,” he said. “A 100-year-old pipe could be in great shape while a 20-year-old pipe could have lots of problems.”

The existing Oakmont pipe will be replaced with PVC and will be enlarged to eight inches from four to six inches. Archer Western is the contractor for the work.

“We plan to start later this month and be done in April,” Mr. French said.